JUST WATCHED

Was Russia involved in spy's poisoning?

MUST WATCH

Story highlights

The inquiry into Litvinenko's death will be independent from the the government's inquiry

Sir Robert Owen will chair the inquiry

Litvinenko, who moved to Britain after becoming whistle-blower, was poisoned in 2006

Before dying, he blamed Russian president; Russia denies accusation

The UK Home Office will hold an independent public inquiry into the 2006 death of Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, it announced Tuesday.

The Home Office said this inquiry will be independent from an ongoing government inquest.

Litvinenko's widow has been pressing for a public inquiry in addition to a basic inquest -- a coroner-led investigation that is held as a matter of course in the case of unnatural deaths in England, where Litvinenko died after being poisoned.

JUST WATCHED

Russian retribution for taking on Putin?

MUST WATCH

JUST WATCHED

2012: Litvinenko inquest making headlines

MUST WATCH

2012: Litvinenko inquest making headlines01:33

Sir Robert Owen will chair the inquiry. He is the coroner for the government inquest.

"It is more than seven years since Mr Litvinenko's death and this government remains committed to seeking justice for his family," a Home Office statement said. "It is hoped this inquiry will go some way to achieve this goal."

A public inquiry, unlike an inquest, can receive evidence behind closed doors. In Litvinenko's case, such evidence could involve matters of national security, and his widow, Marina Litvinenko, has argued that a public inquiry would enable the fullest possible investigation.

In a deathbed statement, Litvinenko blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for his poisoning, an accusation the Kremlin has strongly denied.